Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
Matipandile Sotheni, who is accused of murdering Marius van der Merwe (also known as Witness D), has denied all charges.
The former Special Task Force officer appeared briefly at the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court where he denied knowing the lawyer appointed to represent him.
He faces several charges, including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The case was postponed to May 14.
WATCH | The accused in the Marius van der Merwe (Witness D) murder case, Matipandile Sotheni, tells the court that he is innocent and is willing to assist the court. pic.twitter.com/ztiDQBnMSM
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 25, 2026
There were dramatic scenes in court when Sotheni addressed the court directly, denying all charges. He also appeared visibly frustrated when the case was postponed again.
“I want to assist the court your worship, in the interest of justice and the allegations that were leveled against me, I deny them fully. I’ve nothing to do with this crime,” Sotheni says.
“I wish to state under oath, I want to state in English your worship because the lawyer here, is the first time I see him today, he’s not been given instruction by me, he did not even take my statement your worship.”
He adds, “I’m arrested here for something I did not commit and the instructions are coming left, right and centre your worship, I’m being decided upon, I have not done anything here.”
NPA READY WITH CASE
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says that the state is ready to proceed with Sotheni’s case. NPA Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana insists that he had a case to answer to.
Mahanjana says, “In terms of the bail application, the state is ready for the bail application. You must understand that the state does not enroll any cases, unless there is prima facie evidence against the accused and in this case, the accused has a case to answer to in court, hence he appeared in court today. You must remember, who the accused appoints as his lawyer, the state has nothing to do with that.”
RELATED VIDEO | SABC News reporter Lerato Makola shares background on Sotheni’s case
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sotheni-denies-murdering-witness-d/
